How can I / have you simplified your Explorer???

[meyek91974]

Twenty years ago, I used to work on twenty year old Fords - Ahh...the days of simplicity

Anyhow, on several/many cars I simplified them by remove/replacing some 70's emission with a 60's simpler way (think of the old straight sixes) - On this one Maverick, there wasn't any power brakes, no power steering, the windshield washers were removed, no fan shroud on that 140/170 straight6, no a/c, being in Florida the heat was removed, it just had the old radiator hanging drain tube, emergency brake gone, and the battery had 2or4 gauge cables ran nicely through the body to a battery box in the trunk and a flat open side air filter on two flat plates atop a 1bbl carb - THERE WAS NOTHING UNDER THAT HOOD
Heck, the radio only had one speaker...

So, here on explorerforum, as our Ex needs repair/maint, what can be removed to simplify??? I'm stumped as there's so much computers & electronics - & that charcoal box by the back left, what's that???

How would or have you simplified yours??????

 

[1996BLKBauer]

To be honest with you since you have a '99 Explorer, you really can't do anything. A lot of what is on your truck is for emissions, which, at least in my state you would still have to pass. Let me ask a question though, why do you want to get rid of everything? I mean a lot of the computers, and extra wires, actually make the truck better, such as being able to start in really cold temperatures, or adjust the air fuel mixture for different climates. The can is to trap the fumes from the gas tank, better known as hydrocarbons, and instead of venting it to the atmosphere(which is bad for johnny polarbear), it lets the engine burn it at a later time. To remove something, you would also have to know how to trick the computer into thinking it is still there anyway, so you would have to have a lot of knowledge about the system anyway. I mean it is totally up to you, but if you want a simple car, buy a simple car. to be honest though our Explorers are pretty simple, by today's standards.